Chrystus Zmartwychwstał
Prawdziwie zmartwychwstał!
Christ is risen
Truly He is risen! Alleluia
The One who sat on the throne said,
—Behold, I make all things new.—
Taken from the 21st Chapter of the Book of Revelation, Verse 5
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
There are many views on baptism.
Some refer to it as a baby naming ceremony.
Some refer to it as making grandma and grandpa happy.
The first two reasons are silly to be sure. No one needs a baby naming ceremony. I think that everyone knows Ruby as Ruby by now.
Grandma and Grandpa are certainly happy and proud, but that will be expressed in tens of thousands of ways over the years to come. No one need waste a Sunday morning on that.
Some refer to Baptism as a cleansing from —original sin.—
Those with a solid Roman Catholic education will see this event as a cleansing ceremony. Ruby will be washed clean from the black mark of original sin that is said to be on her soul. As you may recall, that black mark is said to be an impediment to Ruby’s entry into eternal life. It separates her from God.
The reality is that such an understanding, such thinking, is the furthest thing from the truth.
The solid orthodox catholic teaching we hold to in the Polish National Catholic Church rejects such thinking.
Ruby was not born sinful, nor was she created in sin. Ruby is a beautiful child, created in the image of God, with a soul provided by God, God who makes nothing defective. Ruby was created in love, joy, happiness, and celebration. There was a moment of connection that transcended mortality and created life.
Ruby is here because of God’s love and her parents love. Ruby is here so that she may enter the Holy Church in preparation for battle against sin.
Brothers and sisters,
Jesus said:
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
Many of you have come from a good distance. Metro New York, Boston, points between and beyond.
You have come to see something wonderful and miraculous happen.
There will be no washing from a sin that doesn’t exist. Rather, Ruby will be taking the first step on the road to regeneration. By water and the power of the Holy Spirit, Ruby will be regenerated. She will also be made a member of Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
Regeneration is a decision and a step. Regeneration is a process of becoming and of growing, growing in the love of God.
With the assistance of her parents and godparents and all the family members and friends that are here today, as well as the Holy Church, Ruby will be on the road to the place John describes:
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
—Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night, Jesus told him that a man must be regenerated, he must be reborn. He must make a conscious, positive, and affirming decision for Christ.
Bishop Hodur taught that this decision forever changes the person making the decision. Their focus changes.
In baptism Ruby’s focus forever changes. In her regeneration and inclusion her sights are set on God, on God’s dwelling, and on the life of God realized on earth in His Church.
My friends,
Ruby’s life has begun. She’s on the road to the fullness of life Jesus promised us. Along the way there will be great joys and temporary sorrows.
What I ask of each of you is that you take a lot of pictures today. And don’t let them sit on your computer or on a roll of leftover film in your camera. Don’t put them in an envelope on a shelf. Take those pictures, and make an album for Ruby.
When she’s sad or down, frustrated or struggling, pull out the album and sit for five or ten minutes. Show her the pictures, from the hospital, from the day she came home, and from the day of her baptism. Tell her a simple story about today, how people came from afar, how proud grandma and grandpa were, about the priest and deacon that were there and how she was regenerated and made a member of the Holy Church. Tell her that Jesus loves her. Tell her that you love her, and give her a kiss.
That’s what baptism is. The first step on the road paved with family, friends, the Church, love, the process of becoming and growing, and best of all, eternal life.
Knowing that will make Ruby happy, because it tells her that she has all of you forever.
Amen.
